Report: Chelsea approaches West Ham for striker Andy Carroll

Chelsea has expressed interest in acquiring striker Andy Carroll from West Ham and has approached its fellow London-based club to inquire about a permanent deal, reports Matt Law of the Telegraph.

The club is seeking to bolster Antonio Conte's attacking ranks in an effort to increase competition for Alvaro Morata at the top of the Blues' offence, and has looked at the former Liverpool and Newcastle striker as one such option.

Law reports Chelsea's current backup striker Michy Batshuayi is wanted by Sevilla on a loan basis, but the club will not sanction a move until his replacement is acquired, whether permanently or on loan.

West Ham has also made clear it will not grant a loan move for Carroll, forcing Chelsea to focus on a permanent deal. The 29-year-old - who scored his first two goals of the season at the top of the month against West Brom - was not in the Hammers' team for a Tuesday night bout with Shrewsbury Town.

For a man who once held the title of the most expensive British footballer after his £35-million move to Liverpool, Carroll's time at West Ham hasn't been as fruitful as hoped. He is yet to reach a double-digit goals tally in any of his six seasons at the club, and has not featured as a consistent starter in his last two campaigns.